- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain
- Treatments
Fibromyalgia: symptoms, diagnosis and treatments that help
Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, fatigue and sleep problems. Here is what the NIH says about its symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and what a good treatment plan combines.
PainManagement ER Published 3 min read
Fibromyalgia is a condition you can barely see from the outside but feel deeply on the inside. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) describe it as a disorder with chronic, widespread pain throughout the body or in multiple areas, together with fatigue and sleep problems.[1]
How many people have it?
An analysis of the 2012 U.S. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), published by NIH researchers, estimated that 1.75% of adults — about 3.94 million people — had symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia criteria. A striking finding: 73% of them reported a physician’s diagnosis other than fibromyalgia.[3]
Adults with symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia, U.S. 2012
- Women
- Men
- All adults
In other words, many people live with these symptoms without knowing what is going on.
Who gets it
According to NIAMS:[1]
- Anyone can get it, but it is more common in women than in men.
- It usually starts in middle age, and the chance of having it rises with age; children can get it too.
- It occurs in all racial and ethnic groups.
Symptoms
Besides widespread pain, fatigue and sleep problems, NIAMS lists:[1]
- Muscle and joint stiffness
- Tenderness to touch
- Numbness or tingling
- Problems with memory and concentration (so-called “fibro fog”)
- Increased sensitivity to light, noise, odors and temperature
- Digestive problems
What causes it?
The exact cause is unknown. Studies show that people with fibromyalgia have an increased sensitivity to pain, and brain imaging points to changes in how pain signals are processed.[1]
Risk factors NIAMS mentions include having other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, depression or anxiety, chronic back pain or irritable bowel syndrome, as well as family history.[1]
How is it diagnosed?
There is no specific lab or imaging test for fibromyalgia. Diagnosis is based mainly on having pain all over the body along with other symptoms. The doctor reviews your medical history, examines you and may order tests to rule out other conditions.[2]
Treatments that help
There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed. Treatment usually combines several strategies:[1][2]
| Strategy | What it includes (per NIAMS) |
|---|---|
| Exercise | "One of the most useful ways to combat fibromyalgia." Low-impact aerobic activity (walking, cycling, swimming, water exercise) and mind-body practices such as yoga and tai chi. Start low and build up gradually. |
| Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) | Aims to change the way you think about pain; it helps especially alongside other treatments. Can be one-on-one or in a group. |
| Medications | Some antidepressants (even without depression), anti-seizure medicines that reduce pain and improve sleep, and pain relievers. Anti-inflammatory drugs usually don't work, because there is no tissue inflammation. |
| Sleep and self-care | Regular sleep schedule; a dark, quiet, cool bedroom; limiting caffeine, nicotine and alcohol; and pacing daily activities so you don't run out of energy. |
Source: NIAMS, NIH (2024).[1][2] Any medication should be prescribed by a professional.
The CDC’s 2022 clinical guideline agrees: for fibromyalgia it lists cognitive behavioral therapy, myofascial release massage, mindfulness, tai chi, qigong, acupuncture and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and warns that the benefits of opioids are unlikely to outweigh their risks for this condition.[4]
The bottom line
- Fibromyalgia is real: there is increased sensitivity to pain; it is not “exaggerating.”[1]
- Many people with matching symptoms carry a different diagnosis or don’t know they have it.[3]
- What works best is combining gradual exercise, psychological support, good sleep and, when needed, medication.
If you’ve had pain in several parts of your body for months, along with fatigue and poor sleep, an assessment can help you put a name to it and start a plan that works for you.
Sources
- Fibromyalgia . National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), NIH , reviewed May 2024.
- Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take . National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), NIH , reviewed May 2024.
- The Prevalence and Characteristics of Fibromyalgia in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey . Walitt B, Nahin RL, Katz RS, Bergman MJ, Wolfe F. PLoS One 2015;10(9):e0138024 , 2015.
- CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022 . Dowell D, et al. MMWR Recomm Rep 2022;71(No. RR-3):1–95, CDC , November 2022.
Want us to look at your case?
Our team assesses where your pain comes from and proposes a plan built for you.
Book an assessment